Region Archives: International

AUSTRALIA — A new green policy offering cash to plant more natives aims to thicken Perth’s ailing tree canopy. In a bid to turn around Perth’s tree coverage – the worst of all Australian capitals – Labor announced on Tuesday it would plant one million trees across the metropolitan region by 2035 if re-elected in March. The $16.9 million commitment includes a Western Australia-first “treebate”, allowing 10,000 households a year to receive $150 to plant native trees on their property. The “treebates” would be available to all WA residents 18 and over, redeemable via the ServiceWA app, and would help fund the purchase of native trees from WA nurseries and other retailers. …Environment Minister Reece Whitby said the “treebate” would help the state government get Perth’s canopy coverage to 30 per cent by 2040, bringing the city in line with Melbourne’s current coverage and above Adelaide’s.

AUSTRALIA — A war of words – and glossy brochures – has flared up in the scientific world over whether Western Australia’s major prescribed-burning program across the forests of its south-west is doing more harm than good. The South-West Forests Defence Foundation launched its publication Prescribed Burning Fact Sheets – August 2024 outlining scientific research arguing current prescribed burning practices in the south-west forest regions does not give effective protection from wildfires, is hazardous to people’s health and is causing irreversible loss of biodiversity. The foundation favours a rapid detection and suppression response to bushfires. …In response, the Bushfire Front advocacy group has released its own pamphlet critiquing the foundation’s “flawed” proposal, saying it’s not based on sound science and would have disastrous outcomes in the event of a major bushfire. It states… that the response-only method was trialled and failed in the early 1900s.

Global deforestation rates have declined, but forests remain under significant pressure. Rising demands for forest products and climate-related challenges have led to calls for better conservation measures. The European Union had 160 million hectares of forest in 2022, covering 39 per cent of its land, an increase of 8.3 million hectares since 2000. The largest forest areas are in Sweden, Finland, and Spain. According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), the EU’s average forest connectivity, a crucial indicator for supporting biodiversity, was 80.6 per cent in 2021, a slight decline of 0.8 per cent compared to 2018. Larger forest areas, such as those in Slovenia, Romania, Finland, and Sweden, contribute significantly to higher connectivity, while smaller fragmented forests rely on forest strips to maintain connectivity. …Initiatives such as the Nature Restoration regulation, forest and biodiversity strategies for 2030, and a pledge to plant three billion trees by 2030, aim to enhance connectivity.

Nicholas Winston Ong

The Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) program has served as a gateway for Nicholas Winston Ong, a student from Universitas Airlangga’s (UNAIR) Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, to expand his academic horizons. This prestigious initiative enabled him to study at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Canada. Known as Winston, he chose UBC to further his commitment to enhancing Indonesia’s natural ecosystems by specializing in forestry at one of the world’s premier institutions in the field. “I selected the University of British Columbia because I am deeply committed to advancing Indonesia’s natural ecosystems. UBC, with its globally renowned forestry research, aligns perfectly with this vision,” Winston explained. …Winston acknowledged the rigorous academic environment at UBC, noting the university’s reputation as Canada’s largest research institution. He described UBC students as highly competitive, with coursework often centered on critical reasoning and case studies.

Before the Industrial Revolution, coppicing, a method of harvesting wood on a multi-year cycle by cutting trees back to a stump, helped meet Britain’s energy needs. After the tree, usually hazel, hornbeam or oak, is cut, new shoots spring to life. …Shadow Woods, a coppice in West Sussex, England, was largely abandoned after the second world war and many of the trees are now “overstood” … shading the ground and preventing the growth of any new saplings. …Since early humans first kindled firewood until Britain’s Industrial Revolution, energy typically came from renewable sources like wind, water and the sun, not from fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. Vertical windmills were used to grind flour in ancient Persia. Chinese water power pulped paper and hammered iron. The Romans combined their aqueducts with complexes of watermills. All of this was renewable. [A subscription to the Economist is required to access the full story]

The Forestry Agency is calling on local governments to conduct 3D forest surveys employing aircraft laser to get terrain information. Data obtained by such surveys can be used for disaster responses by analyzing terrain changes after earthquakes or heavy rain, in addition to forest and road management. The agency worked with the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan to conduct a laser survey for a terrain analysis of the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture after a powerful earthquake caused landslides in a wide swath of the area in January last year. A laser survey provides information about collapsed roads and ground fissures in places covered with woods, which are hard to observe visually. Such a survey “allows us to detect possible locations of secondary disasters and take preventive measures,” a Forestry Agency official said.

IRELAND — More young people are looking towards the forestry and wood sector as a career, according to the findings of a new Coillte commissioned survey, which revealed that 60% of respondents believed it to be an attractive option. Coillte said this growing interest aligns with the industry’s pivotal role in addressing Ireland’s climate and housing challenges while meeting the increasing demand for sustainable timber. Public sentiment also strongly supports forestry’s role in addressing these challenges: Nearly 70% of the survey respondents favoured increased timber frame housing, while 80% believed Ireland should be self-sufficient in timber production. The forestry sector is recognised as a key driver of Ireland’s climate action objectives, requiring more than 1,700 skilled professionals by 2030 to meet the ambitions of the forest strategy. Coillte released the findings at the launch of its 2025 Forestry Scholarship Programme, which offers up to €20,000 per recipient across their degree, alongside paid summer placements and career opportunities with the company.

Sarah Kutulakos

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) International is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Kutulakos as FSC’s first Regional Director of North America, effective 1 January 2025. This strategic appointment marks a key moment in FSC’s ongoing expansion and reinforces its mission to promote responsible forest management across the United States and Canada. Kutulakos, a seasoned executive with extensive experience in multinational business operations and strategic growth, will lead FSC’s efforts to meet the growing demand for responsibly sourced forest products in North America. Her leadership will strengthen FSC’s presence on the ground and foster deeper connections within North America and between the regions. With the appointment of Sarah Kutulakos as our Regional Director, we are establishing a dedicated presence to better support our members and partner organizations in the U.S. and Canada who have worked hard to safeguard forests and promote sustainable forestry,” said Lieske van Santen, FSC International Global Network Director.

The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood for domestic processing and over time, boost the value of exports,” Mr McClay says “It will also provide nature-based solutions which are a key part to our climate strategy.” Through the RFI, the Government wants to understand what would make this an attractive and viable opportunity for potential partners.

Since its founding in 1994, FSC has championed sustainable forest management, spanning economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainability. With its rigorous and trusted forest certification system, FSC is contributing to healthy and resilient forests, upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples and forest sector workers, promoting gender equality, and safeguarding biodiversity. …As of 2024, FSC’s impact across the globe includes: 160+ million hectares of forest certified worldwide and 1,150+ members from 89 countries offering environmental, economic and social perspectives… Today, FSC’s Forest Management and Chain of Custody standards, as well as other solutions like Verified Impact stand at the forefront of global environmental stewardship, addressing the most critical planetary challenges of our time. …FSC is celebrating with valued members, allies and network partners, reflecting on three decades of collective effort and achievement, as well as reaffirming our commitment to promote sustainable forestry.

Robert Nasi

The picture painted by the 2024 Forest Declaration Assessment, albeit relying mostly on 2023 figures, is not a pretty one. As 2024 is coming to an end, here is a reflection of the year for forests. 2024 has been marked by both positive strides and persistent challenges for the world’s forests. …In the international and national agenda, the role of forests in mitigating and adapting to climate change is reaffirmed. …To address the complex challenges facing the world’s forests, a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach is necessary. International cooperation is essential to coordinate efforts, share best practices, and provide financial support to countries with significant forest resources. Strong governance and effective law enforcement are crucial to combat illegal logging and ensure sustainable forest management. …Additionally, empowering Indigenous Peoples and local communities to play a role in forest conservation is essential, as they often have deep knowledge and strong ties to the land.

The Södra Foundation for Research, Development and Education is granting a total of SEK 12.5 million to 11 different research projects. The research in the projects will pave the way for both tomorrow’s forestry and new climate-smart products, sustainable production and, eventually, jobs. “The Foundation is a key component of a larger innovation system to promote research into both forestry and the forest industry for a green transition. By investing in research, we are building the foundation for a sustainable future where forests contribute both solutions to climate change and economic growth, while ensuring that forests remain an important resource for society,” said Henric Brage, Head of Innovation at Södra… The successful projects cover the areas of forestry, wood, pulp and chemicals. They include a climate research project that uses a scientific radar monitoring station to observe forest health, with a focus on CO₂ and water dynamics in birch and pine forests.